F1, Singapore GP Preview: New exhaust layout to help Nico go closeIt was about this stage last year that most of the Grand Prix teams gave up. They saw Sebastian Vettel disappearing into the night on his way to the 2011 title - quite literally in Singapore's unique floodlit race - and stopped trying to chase him. All the development work in the garages become focused on the 2012 cars.
Fast forward 12 months and it's a different story. The most open Formula One season in years moves into its last third and the engineers remain as important as the drivers. McLaren have won the last three races thanks to their series of major upgrades - now Mercedes are about to change things too.
Ross Brawn has confirmed that his team's big new development, a change to the car's exhaust layout, is ready to race this weekend. It's been thoroughly put through its paces over 1,000 kilometres during last week's young driver test at Magny-Cours, and according to the man who is arguably the sport's most imaginative engineer it will make a significant difference.
The new layout improves airflow to the floor of the car and Brawn says it will be ideal for the low speed corners of the Singapore track. "The effect brings you the balance you need for the rear tyre," he says.
It's easy to dismiss all this as the sort of thing that petrol-heads get obsessed about. But this season has already shown how much it matters, with results shifting around because the cars are all pretty closely matched. Minor changes make big differences, and the very fact there have been seven different drivers who have won races this season underlines the ebb and flow created by the mechanics.
The sub plot to the latest innovation, of course, is that Mercedes are trying to convince Lewis Hamilton they can give him a fast enough car to justify moving from McLaren. I suggested laying Hamilton before Monza because I feared the sideshow about his future would distract him - and got that spectacularly wrong! But I'm tempted to take him on again - Hamilton is
3.55 favourite to be the winner and this track offers too many variables for anybody to be such a short price.
The heat is a major factor, Pirelli are bringing their two softest compounds of tyres which will make degradation more rapid and mean either a two or three stop strategy. So if the new exhaust helps Mercedes to protect the rear tyres in slow speed cornering it will be perfect as Brawn tries to showcase his team's potential.
As of this morning Mercedes are
18.0 to provide the winning car on Sunday. Nico Rosberg, the driver most likely to take advantage of the upgraded technology, is an equally generous
7.6 for a podium finish.
Either of those bets present value, but there are other opportunities based on the conditions. Singapore's track bears comparison with Valencia, where low speed traction matters, so expect Red Bull and Lotus also to be strong. Vettel led from start to finish of last year's race, yet is
8.4 to be the winner this time.
That result left the German needing one more point to clinch the drivers' title which he duly collected in Japan. This time the battle could well keep going to the last lap of the last race.
(Source:
Betfair)
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